Poplar Island, Chesapeake Bay

About Poplar Island, Talbot County, MD

Poplar Island, located in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, boasts a fascinating history that spans centuries. Recorded surveys show the island was 1,100 aces in 1847. During the early 19th century about 100 residents called it home. However, over time, erosion started to take its toll, and by the mid-20th century, much of the island had disappeared, as did the residents. The island decreased to roughly 4 acres. In an effort to reclaim this precious piece of land, a restoration project began in the late 1990s, utilizing dredged material from the bay. Today, Poplar Island stands as a testament to the power of conservation and environmental stewardship. This ongoing project has not only resurrected the island to approximately 1,140 aces, but also serves as a reminder of the resilience of nature and our ability to restore vanishing habitats.

Now flourishing with diverse habitats, Poplar Island has become a haven for both resident and migratory birds and a hotspot for birders. It is still an active construction site, Maryland Environmental Service (MES) runs the day-to-day operations. You must make a reservation with MES to bird on the island.

For more information visit http://www.poplarislandrestoration.com

My scheduled visit to the island was on 4 August 2025. It was a pleasant day, clear, 74-80F, N winds 10mph. The highlight of the trip for me was seeing the Neotropical Cormorant, a rare bird for this area and a life bird for me. Another rarity I saw was a Red-necked Phalarope and a Merlin (rare for time of year). I logged 35 bird species for the trip.

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